88 Dead, 1,000 Injured in Jammu Road Accidents This Year

In a shocking revelation, 88 people have died and over 1,000 individuals have been injured in road accidents across Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch during the first seven months of 2023. The Traffic Police Rural Jammu launched an initiative to target two-wheeler violations, highlighting that two-wheelers accounted for 44 percent of these fatal crashes, with over 8,000 offenders penalized.

The focused awareness-cum-enforcement campaign took place from September 1 to 14, following a detailed analysis that demonstrated the alarming involvement of two-wheelers in serious accidents. A spokesperson from the traffic police stated that the drive aimed to curtail these dangerous tendencies and promote safer riding practices.

Accident data revealed that Traffic Police Rural Jammu reported a total of 699 accidents from January 1 to July 31, leading to 88 fatalities and 1,001 injuries. Of these incidents, 309 were connected to two-wheelers, solidifying their involvement in a staggering 44 percent of total accidents.

Furthermore, the analysis identified that two-wheelers played a dire role in 39 fatal accidents within this timeframe, resulting in 384 injuries. Notably, 144 of these incidents were single-vehicle crashes involving two-wheelers.

On the National Highways, two-wheelers accounted for 102 accidents, which is 41 percent of the total, while 210 accidents (47 percent) occurred on other roads. Alarmingly, 27 percent of victims were under the age of 26. A significant proportion, 445 (64 percent), of reported accidents involved only one vehicle.

To address this pressing issue, the Traffic Police Rural Jammu executed an extensive awareness initiative and enforcement drive across all four districts. Alongside raising awareness, the police clamped down on violators, issuing 8,675 challans during this two-week enforcement blitz.

During the drive, 5,767 riders received fines for riding without helmets. Additionally, 1,152 pillion riders faced penalties for non-compliance with helmet regulations. The drive also saw 1,106 violations recorded for triple riding, a dangerous practice, alongside 188 riders penalized for using mobile phones while driving.

The police also targeted dangerous driving with 260 citations and 146 issued for driving without a valid license. Authorities seized numerous vehicles during the operation; three minors driving illegally had their bikes confiscated, alongside 50 instances of illegal vehicle modifications; a total of 187 vehicles were seized for various traffic violations.

The campaign included a robust educational outreach, conducting 267 awareness programmes in schools, libraries, bus stands, and other public places. This aimed to instill a sense of responsibility among the youth regarding road safety.

Moreover, the Traffic Police conducted on-road safety counseling sessions in Rajouri and Poonch, providing an engaging platform for riders under dedicated canopies. The innovative “no-challan, only counseling” concept aimed to foster communication, focusing on helmet usage and safe driving practices.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic Rural Jammu, Farooq Qaiser, announced that similar operations targeting Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) would commence soon. He urged all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations, emphasizing that strict enforcement will continue in the best interest of public safety.